Since the creation of the Fifty Fathoms more than 60 years ago, Blancpain has been contributing to ocean exploration. Convinced that we can only respect and protect what we love, and can only love what we know, the Swiss watchmaking brand supports major scientific expeditions and underwater photographers in an effort to increase people's knowledge of and concern about the ocean. Blancpain was lead sponsor of the inaugural World Ocean Summit in 2012 and renewed its support for the second edition which took place in San Francisco on February 24-26, 2014.

Chaired by John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, this high level international conference brought together HRH Charles Prince of Wales, HSH Albert II Prince of Monaco, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of the Portuguese Republic, John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, Leon Panetta, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, José María Figueres, former President of the Republic of Costa Rica and Co-chair of the Global Ocean Commission, and numerous global leaders from government, business, international organisations, NGOs, think-tanks and academia. Governance and sustainability were the two main themes of World Ocean Summit 2014 and the three-day conference offered delegates the opportunity to continue the unique outcome-driven dialogue first established at the 2012 Summit.

HSH the Prince Albert II of Monaco, HSH the Princess Charlène of Monaco
and Alain Delamuraz, Vice President of Blancpain

Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Gary Knell, President and CEO of National Geographic,
Alain Delamuraz, Vice President of Blancpain, Terry D. Garcia, Vice President of National Geographic
and David Bennett, Vice President of National Geographic

Introduced during the gala dinner by Gary Knell, CEO of the National Geographic Society, Blancpain Vice President and Head of Marketing Alain Delamuraz reminded attendees of Blancpain’s rich history as a dive watch maker and as the inventor of the modern dive watch. Speaking just prior to Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala, Delamuraz noted how Blancpain has long partnered with the National Geographic Society, marine science specialists, underwater photographers and many others who are working to protect our oceans and help raise awareness.

“Even if you worry about the present state of the oceans we should celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of many in this room who have made great strides to improve the health of the ocean,” he added. “Our passion is motivated by optimism!”